Soul Seeker: As artist Aron Rook creates, she searches for answers–within, without.

March 31, 2015 | by Laura Good

The aroma of coffee and the sound of idle chatter fill the space around our table. Sirens send conversations to a halt as heads turn to the front window. Figures of fire trucks and an ambulance blur down Hanover Street for a reason unknown to us.

Recovering from the loud noise still in our heads, we begin speaking again.

“It’s simple here,” she says. “After moving around trying to find excitement….” She trails off then takes a breath. “I couldn’t find my soul.”

As a child, artist Aron Rook began her artistic instruction in Carlisle at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

“Art became an immediate interest,” Rook says, explaining how she left ballet to pursue classes at the Art Association of Harrisburg and Mechanicsburg Art Center. Her initial interest gelled into a passion that led to an illustration program at Rhode Island School of Design and the Pennsylvania Governor School’s sculpture program, all before completing high school.

She next earned a degree in illustration and fine arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore and then found herself on the road, traveling from Raleigh to New York to Pittsburgh, before returning to her roots and replanting herself in Carlisle.

Rook acknowledges that “it has taken a community to keep going” despite the rich talent, inspiration and imagination that exists within her. She explains her battles against criticism, critique and even herself that kept everything dormant for periods of time.

“A challenge has been doing the thing I love, but getting through the bad days,” she states. “My entire being struggles with it. It’s such a part of me, and I can’t separate from it.”

What Hurts

Rook finds it a constant trial determining and organizing which ideas to express and how exactly to create art from the freshness of an idea.

“My imagination is always alive, and, while vast, I think I’m only at 10 percent,” she says. “I want to stretch it further—further than the known and unknown universe. This is where my art begins.”

While she fears setbacks, Rook understands that, without them, her work would not exist. She recalled a time when a professor critiqued her drawing as “too pretty.” The class provoked question and doubt, but, during her final year at MICA, Rook submitted a piece to the Society of Illustrators that was selected and showcased at the “Student Scholarship” exhibition in New York City.

More recently, she enrolled with Klein Artist Works by Paul Klein, which provides live online webinars with reputable artists, collectors, curators and professionals who serve as resources, counselors and advisors to guide artists to build success. This resource, paired with a new non-profit in town, The Charles Bruce Foundation, which supports and funds artists, writers and musicians, has greatly influenced Rook this past year.

“It’s a sphere of contacts and influences,” she says.

As per influences—she suddenly mentions her admiration for Picasso. “And you know who else?” she says. “Charlie Chaplin! I like the underlying despair. His art is distinct.”

Endless Cycle

Within the last year, Rook has created a VIP database to better communicate with followers, admirers and audiences that encounter her creations. It provides an opportunity for her fan base to see new projects that are coming; learn valuable tricks and techniques; and earn discounts on pieces of art.

With the Carlisle community behind her, Rook now devotes her time and energy on large-scale paintings with bright, vivid colors, along with pen-and-black-ink drawings. Over the holidays, she introduced Gourdnaments, gourds made into ornaments, which were not only symbolic but custom-made upon request.

“There are a few projects that I’ve been thinking about for years,” she says. “But they [have] yet to come into the physical world.”

She also has decided to help others by teaching at Carlisle Art Learning Center (CALC). The class, which is for students without formal art training, is based on optimizing personal expressions and individual artistic sensitivities, says Rook.

In recent years, her artwork has shown at CALC, as well as at the Time Bomb and Thought Lot Contemporary Arts Center in Shippensburg, among other places.

Her work demonstrates a natural growth, the result of a continual urge to improve her technique and shape her skills while feeding the spirit.

“Nothing is final; everything is a point of growth, a lesson for the next piece,” Rook says. “During my practice, thinking is different. My concentration level is at its highest, yet my mind feels completely flexible and open. But then comes a time when the flow stops, and there is a puzzle, a knot, a challenge. This can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. The great idea is now like a sad flapjack lying on a dirty floor.”

But starting over creates a fresh slate to make it even better. The cycle is endless and, to keep the momentum, there is a need to translate her ideas, even if fragmented, into the physical world.

Rook reminds herself that failure is no longer a fear, because the universe will catch her.

Learn more about Aron Rook’s art at her Facebook page: Aron Rook Art. Her work also can be viewed monthly in TheBurg.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified one of the artists who influenced Rook. He is Charlie Chaplin, not Charlie Chapman. A quote about a piece of art that “needed more soul,” attributed inaccurately to Rook’s former professor, has also been removed. Additionally, one of Rook’s road stops was Raleigh, not Charlotte, as stated in the original article.

Musical Notes: Rock ‘n’ Rain–April offers a shower of classic & contemporary rock.

March 31, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Whether you’re hip to the music of today or prefer that your rock be strictly classic, April has something perfectly suited to your tastes.

All three featured artists have something in common: quality. All have collected heaps of accolades throughout their careers and all are surely poised to put on powerful performances. So, this month, brave the seasonably rainy weather and take in one of Harrisburg’s fabulous shows.

ALVVAYS, 4/15, 9PM, LARSEN STUDENT UNION, MESSIAH COLLEGE, FREE

Messiah College may be a little outside the typical sphere for the “Musical Notes” column, but this was just too good of a show to pass up. Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) has been quickly garnering the attention of the music world’s literati. The band’s 2014 eponymous release charted at No. 36 on Rolling Stone’s year-end list and No. 5 on Paste’s. Sunny and surfy, this Canadian band provides the perfect soundtrack for the young spring. Vocalist Molly Rankin’s voice is simultaneously dynamic and haunting as she sings nimble melodies over jangly guitars. And considering that Messiah College is offering this show for free, it is certainly worth the short drive down Route 15.

TERRY REID, 4/17, HMAC, DOORS AND ADMISSION TBD

If young, new bands aren’t your thing, consider a well-known classic. Terry Reid has been a hot ticket for generations. You know you are in demand when you’re too busy to join Led Zeppelin. Reid was Jimmy Page’s first choice for heading up the new band that Page was forming. Due to touring and contract conflicts, Reid had to decline, but suggested that Page recruit a young Robert Plant instead. Spend one moment with Reid’s voice, and you’ll know why he caught Page’s ear. Like so many young rockers in the U.K. at the time, Reid sings with power and soul and has taken to the road in support of some of the greatest rock bands of all time, including Cream, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones.

OVER THE RHINE, 4/23, 8PM, MIDTOWN SCHOLAR, $20

Over the Rhine has also been doing their thing for a long time, though admittedly not as long as Reid. I first discovered their music when I was in college, more than 10 years ago, and they were already well into their career at that point. Yet their music doesn’t feel dated. The husband and wife duo met while in college in Ohio in the ‘80s, and they have been writing soulful folk music together since. Their music is smoky, dark and rich, driven by Karin Bergquist’s remarkable vocals that soar over Linford Detweiler’s masterful instrumentation. Tickets are available for presale and at the door. Make sure to get there early, because the show is not to be missed.

Mentionables: Beards, Bands and Brews Charity Event, 4/4, FedLive; Rivers, 4/10, Little Amps Downtown; Eilen Jewell, 4/19, Abbey Bar; The Stray Birds, 4/26, Abbey Bar

Community Corner: Notable Events in April

March 31, 2015 | by TheBurg Editor

Happy Hour Fundraiser
April 1: The YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Junior Board will host its fifth annual happy hour, “A Night of UnWINEding with the YWCA,” 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event will take place at Spring Gate Vineyard, 5790 Devonshire Rd., Harrisburg. Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit the YWCA’s Camp Reily. Visit ywcahbg.org/events.

Archaeological Lecture
April 1: The World Culture Club of Central PA will present a free program, “Uncovering Madame Montour’s Otstonwakin: Archaeological Excavations at an 18^th Century Native American Village” at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., 5^th Floor, Lecture Room C, at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Visit worldcultureclubpa.org.

Exploring Diversity
April 2: Join the Carlisle Chamber for “Women for Women: Exploring Diversity in Women…Let’s Talk,” a forum on facing diversity issues in religion, race, gender, age and economic diversity. The event takes place 3 to 5 p.m. at the YWCA Carlisle. More information is at www.ywcacarlisle.org.

Stress Relief Walk
April 8: Walk off the stress of the day with a vigorous 3-mile walk around Wildwood Park. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center at 6 p.m. For more information, visit wildwoodlake.org.

Foreign Film Friday
April 10: The Indian film, “The Lunchbox,” will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. More information is at fredricksenlibrary.org.

Clean Up Your Earth
April 11: In honor of Earth Day, drop by Wildwood Park to help clean up its lake, streams and trails. Snacks, tools and work gloves will be provided for the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. event. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Logan’s Run
April 11: Run for fun and a great cause at the 10^th Annual Logan’s Run & Walk for Autism. The run takes off from City Island, Harrisburg, at 10 a.m., with the Family Fun Walk for Autism at noon. For information and to register, visit LogansRunWalkForAutism.kintera.org.

Sing-Off
April 11: Revel in some of the best voices in the Mid-Atlantic at the M&T Bank Regional Glee College A Cappella Competition. The fifth annual sing-off starts at 7 p.m. at the Carlisle Theatre in Carlisle. Tickets are $15 and $25 for adults and $8 and $15 for students. Call 717-243-4805 or visit carlisleunitedway.org.

Light and Creativity
April 11: Harrisburg Camera Club will hold its 5th annual “Light and Creativity” workshop, 8 a.m. to 5p.m., featuring nationally known photographers at Central Penn College Conference Center, Valley Road and B streets, Enola. The cost is $60 for Harrisburg Camera Club members, $70 for non-members and $45 for students. Visit lightandcreativity.org for details.

Railway Society Banquet
April 11: Join the Harrisburg Chapter National Railway Historical Society for its annual banquet, featuring keynote speaker Amanda Trainor Patrick, whose topic will be “Women in Railroading.” The event begins at 5 p.m. at Colonial Golf & Tennis Club, 4901 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. To make reservations before April 1, contact 717-232-6221.

Harrisburg Together
April 12: Harrisburg Together will host its second annual event to raise funds to repair the Pennsylvania Holocaust Monument. The 5K run or 1-mile walk will begin on City Island at 2 p.m., with registration at 1 p.m. To register and donate, visit holocaustmonument.myevent.com/3/donate.htm.

Environmental Rights Symposium
April 12: Legal experts on Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment will discuss its future at an event sponsored by the PA Sierra Club and PennFuture. The symposium takes place at 3 p.m. at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 25 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg. Free parking in the Market Square Garage. For more, visit marketsquarechurch.org.

Lincoln Presentation
April 12: “The Lincoln Funeral Train” will be the subject of a presentation by Joseph Garrera, executive director of the Lehigh County Historical Society. The event begins at 3 p.m. at the Historical Society of Dauphin County (Harris-Cameron Mansion), 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg. Information is at dauphincountyhistory.org.

Antique Auction
April 12: Antiques, artifacts and collectibles will be up for auction starting at 2 p.m. at Cordier Auctions and Appraisals, 1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg. Items will include the last remaining stained glass from the old Senate Hotel, political memorabilia, coins and currency and an antique chair used by a Harrisburg dentist. Proceeds benefit Historic Harrisburg Association. A complete list of auction items is at historicharrisburg.com.

Noir at the Bar
April 13: Join some of the midstate’s best crime fiction writers, who will read their work as audience members enjoy a drink and a meal. The fun starts at 8 p.m. at Sturges Speakeasy, 400 Forster St., Harrisburg. More information is at Noir at the Bar’s Facebook page.

Chamber Mixer
April 15: Join the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for its monthly business networking mixer at the Paper Lion Gallery, 1217 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne, 6 to 8 p.m. More information is at cpglcc.org.

Youth Benefit
April 16: Dining with Diakon holds a networking/fundraising event at the Hilton Harrisburg, 6:30-9 p.m., to benefit troubled youth, helping them learn skills to be successful. Food, fun and a silent auction are on tap. Go to diningwithdiakon.org for information and tickets.

Meet the Candidates
April 16: Friends of Midtown invites the public to meet the candidates for Harrisburg City Council. The candidate forum will take place at Harris Street UMC, 250 Harris St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit friendsofmidtown.org.

3^rd in The Burg
April 17: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3^rd in The Burg, the monthly arts event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown. This month, the food trucks are back! For more information, visit thirdintheburg.org.

Jersey Mike 5K
April 18: Get set and go to the Jersey Mike Rock + Run 5K, the third annual fundraiser and race organized as a tribute to concert promoter Mike Van Jura. This year, the event has a “rock ‘n roll circus” theme, with costumes encouraged and prizes awarded. Visit jerseymikerun.com for more information and registration.

Book & Media Sale
April 24-26: The Fredericksen Library will hold its annual spring book and media sale. Items include media, puzzles and games, parent and teacher materials, as well as a wide variety of books. Additional information is at fredericksenlibrary.org.

Beer Week
April 24-May 2: Raise a glass and learn about all things beer during Harrisburg Beer Week. Scores of events are planned at area venues throughout the week, including food pairings, brewer socials, tastings, giveaways, contests, forums, tap takeovers, educational events and more. Check out all the action at harrisburgbeerweek.com.

Wetlands Festival
April 25: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be special wildlife exhibits, displays and live animal programs. For more information on the free festival, visit wildwoodlake.org.

A Novel Idea
April 25: Join six award-winning authors for a once-a-month program designed to help writers draft a first novel. A second program of one-day workshops will address such subjects as “How to Write a Query Letter” and “Writing a Memoir.” Information session at Midtown Scholar Bookshop, 1 to 3 p.m. For more, visit perrycountyarts.org or call 717-567-7023.

Spring Festival
April 25: Holy Spirit Hospital Auxiliary will hold its 18^th annual Spring Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Adams Ricci Park in Enola. The event features a flower sale, chicken barbecue, children’s games and craft vendors. A 5K run begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call 717-763-2796 or e-mail [email protected].

PUREhope Coffeehouse
April 25: The annual PUREhope Coffeehouse will take place in the social room of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 240 Broad St., Highspire, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to donate at least $5 to support the work of Hope for Justice and Blood:Water Mission. In addition to beverages, there will be food, music and a silent auction. Visit hopeforjustice.org and bloodwater.org.

Race Against Racism
April 26: The 10^th annual Race Against Racism 5K takes off from City Island at 9:30 a.m., with day-of registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event promotes awareness of issues surrounding racial injustice and raises funds to support the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice program. Details are at ywcahbg.org.

Downton Abbey Tea
April 26: Preview the new Downton Abbey clothing exhibit before it opens to the public. The event runs 1 to 3:30 p.m. and starts with an illustrated talk on heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post followed by high tea and the exhibit preview. Cost is $30 per person and $25 for members. For information, visit forthunter.org.

State Museum Tour
April 26: Beth Hager of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will offer a guided tour of select areas of the State Museum and Archives, 1-3 p.m. Free with museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis, but tour slots are limited. Register by emailing [email protected].

Anti-Bullying Forum
April 29: Author Cheryl Dellasega will deliver a lecture, “Mean Girls All Grown Up,” highlighting the issue of aggression between women in the workplace. The event takes place at noon at Widener School of Law, 3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg. Information and registration are at pawomensforum.org.

Healthy Discussion: The ladies of Zoombalicious offer Harrisburg a fitness lesson and a civics lesson.

March 31, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

You see a lot through five-plus years of covering Harrisburg City Council meetings.

Fights and arguments. Council members muttering and swearing. Power plays and shifting alliances. People getting ejected bodily by police.

I’ve been through one bankruptcy filing, two receivers, three mayors and four or five different PennLive reporters.

But something happened recently that I’d never seen before.

Last November, a group of women (mostly women anyway) began attending council meetings to make a plea for a shared cause. At that meeting, they cautiously stepped before the public microphone to urge council to help save a program that they said had changed their lives.

Then they came back in December, a little bolder, even enduring a four-hour budget hearing to get a turn to speak, and twice again in January. By the time late February rolled around, City Council chambers was packed with the ladies of Zoombalicious.

Back at the first meeting in November, few people in the room had any idea what Zoombalicious was or why it mattered. The assembled officials, reporters and citizens were there mainly to hear Mayor Eric Papenfuse deliver his budget address, which now was going to be delayed by a queue of women talking up a Zumba fitness program. They even had handouts!

But then the ladies spoke, and the importance of the program began to sink in.

Zumba had helped them lose weight, had improved their health, had boosted their energy and confidence and self-esteem, they said.

And, now, it was under threat.

At year-end, a wellness grant from Highmark would expire, potentially dooming the free program. That’s why the ladies were there. They wanted to know if the city could find the money to continue it.

“Basically, we’re here to try to convince you to keep the program going,” said one speaker. “There have been amazing results with a lot of the people there.”

The Zumba class regularly attracted 70 or 80 women each session, she said, and it was held four times a week. It had become an important part of their lives, promoting not just good health, but purpose, support and friendship.

Council President Wanda Williams said it was the first she had heard that the program would end and recommended that the group meet with Jackie Parker, the city’s director of Community and Economic Development.

So the city of Harrisburg—struggling with serious budget, crime, parking and personnel problems—tried to find an answer to Zoombalicious.

Over the coming months, several solutions were suggested. The mayor said he would try to secure a new grant, but, when that failed, proposed allocating some $5,000 from the city’s general fund. That idea, though, caused its own set of problems. The city would have to put the contract out for general bid, which meant that the program’s beloved instructor, Sandy Johnson, probably wouldn’t end up teaching the class.

That’s what brought out the biggest crowd yet. In late February, 50 or 60 women (and a few men) crowded into City Council chambers to make personal pleas for their program and their teacher. This time, they didn’t submit testimonials in writing, as most had before, but went face-to-face with the mayor and council.

One woman said she had lost 54 pounds in six months.

Another said the class helped her believe in herself again.

A young man said that Zumba had helped ease his bipolar disorder.

All credited Johnson, as much as exercise, saying they couldn’t imagine Zoombalicious without her.

“Without these ladies, I wouldn’t be able to stand before you and say that I’m happy to be healthy,” said one speaker.

Johnson, in fact, had been teaching the class four times a week for free since funding expired in December.

“They want me, they need me,” she told council members amidst loud applause.

Johnson also announced some good news. A day before the meeting, she had met with city spokeswoman Joyce Davis, who proposed another solution. The program would be put under a sports-related nonprofit, M.O.S.E.L.F. RBI, which would allow the group to accept grants and outside funds, while retaining control.

“We had a lot of obstacles to overcome to keep this Zumba class,” Johnson said, thanking both Davis and Williams.

Over the years, I’ve seen many people speak before City Council.

Many have brought up personal problems that are beyond council’s purview (the school system, parking). Others have asked council to address serious societal issues that members, unfortunately, can do little about (racism, homelessness).

The (mostly) ladies of Zoombalicious took another approach.

They brought to council a problem that might be solvable. They were gracious and friendly, committed and passionate. They were organized, prepared and persistent. They showed an understanding of the city’s constraints. They were realistic and flexible.

Yes, they proved how important an exercise program—and instructor—is to their lives. But they also gave a lesson in civic engagement, in how to take an issue, advocate for a solution and see it through to resolution.

Would you like to help the (mostly) ladies of Zoombalicious? You can mail donations to support the Zumba program to: M.O.S.E.L.F. RBI, P.O. Box 1541, Harrisburg, Pa., 17105. For more information on the free classes, which take place at Foose School in Harrisburg, visit the Facebook page: Zoombalicious.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Beauty All Around Us: The natural, the manmade become one as Art in the Wild returns.

March 31, 2015 | by Rebecca Hanlon

Debbi Cowl remembers the first time she walked the trails of Wildwood Park in Dauphin County and stumbled upon the whimsical creatures and colorful creations left behind by artists.

As the director of Tender Years Child Development Center and an artist herself, Cowl desperately wanted to introduce her students to Wildwood Park’s annual Art in the Wild program.

“We really wanted to be committed to participating this year,” Cowl said.

Beginning its third year this month, “Art in the Wild” will turn Wildwood Park into an al fresco gallery for 17 artists who will display their work along the 3.1-mile trail loop.

Good to her word, Cowl and her students will be part of it. Along with kindergarten teacher Carol Lauver, Cowl will fill a tree with birdhouses created by about 20 students as a way to contribute to the park’s evolving program.

The theme for this year’s exhibit is “Reflections,” said Chris Rebert, manager at Wildwood Park and Olewine Nature Center. Artists can interpret that however they like, but all of the projects must be made from mostly natural materials, he said.

Winners for first through third place will be announced on opening day, April 11. Three top winners also will be selected for a people’s choice award, where visitors can vote on their favorite exhibits throughout the summer. Those winners will be announced Sept. 27 at Celebrate Wildwood.

The year’s late snow proved a challenge for artists who needed to start setting up as early as mid-March. By early April, depending on how warm it is, the poison ivy could be an issue for those who have to work in the brush. Despite these concerns, things were shaping up well for this year’s exhibit, Rebert said.

All from PA

Art in the Wild allows artists to bring in their own items, as long as they aren’t invasive plants, and create pieces using whatever inspiration nature might provide.

Sometimes, Rebert said, artists will even use dead materials or invasive vines already in the park, such as the oriental bittersweet vine, helping to benefit both the park and the artist.

While previous years have hosted artists from throughout the region, including three from out of state and one from Canada, each of the 17 artists represented this year are from Pennsylvania. When they submit applications to be considered for the exhibit, a panel of five jurors chooses from the ideas without knowing the names of the applicants, Rebert said.

This process allows everyone from professional artists to hobbyists and even school students to be included.

With more than 85,000 park visitors a year, mostly for walking, running or to participate in a park program, Art in the Wild gives Wildwood Park the chance to reach a larger group of people, Rebert said.

“We feel like Dauphin County Parks has pioneered an exciting format for the discovery of art in nature,” he said. “We want to show people that there is beauty throughout Pennsylvania’s landscape, and sometimes it can be intentional art.”

Inventive and Wonderful

Each year, Cowl and Lauver look forward to walking through Art in the Wild. Artists themselves, they admire the ingenuity that the program offers those with a creative spirit.

Their students will be creating birdhouses made from wood kits and coconut shells, and they’ve even started looking for natural items to decorate with, such as natural dyes from berries and carrots.

“Projects like these go beyond standardized testing that a lot of the public schools have to do,” Cowl said. “By working with the children on these projects, they have the chance to learn about habitats, natural resources and critical thinking when it comes to building something. These are the connections to learning we want to provide.”

Incorporating art with early childhood education has the power to leave a lasting impression, said Lauver, who has taught kindergarten at the school for 13 years. Growing up in New York, she remembers when an art teacher said her painting was good enough for an exhibit. From that moment on, Lauver said, she thought of herself as an artist.

Kathleen Swain of Susquehanna Township has also found inspiration. An avid knitter, she will use felting, the process of creating very dense fibers through knitting, to create more than 20 different animals to place in the exhibit.

In addition to birds and birdhouses, she will knit turtles, snakes and Canada geese that she’ll hang from the trees, place on logs and otherwise position in their natural habitats.

“I think Art in the Wild is one of the best things that park has done,” Swain said. “Some of the exhibits are just so inventive and wonderful.”

As a member of the Friends of Wildwood Park and an avid hiker, Swain waited until after her daughter’s wedding last year to get involved.

Now, she might spend up to 10 hours making a single bird to hang in her display. Working with the theme of reflection, Swain is making all of her creatures in pairs and posing them to look at each other, much like a parent and child.

Unlike the many sweaters, blankets and mittens she’s knitted in the past, a project of this size has taken much of her time since Thanksgiving, she said. But the experience is one she doesn’t regret.

“When you visit, just be prepared to walk the entire loop,” she said. “There are so many beautiful, unique exhibits, that you don’t want to miss any. Keep an open mind and be alert. You don’t know what beauty might surprise you.”

“Art in the Wild” will be on display April 11 to Oct. 31 at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Park Way, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.dauphincounty.org and search for “Art in the Wild.” A brochure featuring a map of the displays is available at the Olewine Nature Center.

Spirited Arrival: Distillery Set to Open in Harrisburg

March 30, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

Midstate Distillery is slated to open in the summer in this building on Harrisburg’s Cameron Street.

Lovers of small-batch, locally produced spirits, raise a glass—it looks like Harrisburg will get its first craft distillery after all.

For more than a year, business partners Dan Healy and Brian Myers have been quietly creating a distillery inside the former Smith Paint Building at 1817 N. Cameron St, a couple of blocks south of the state Farm Show Complex. If all goes according to plan, the pair expects to open Midstate Distillery this summer.

“We want to make a product that the people of the greater Harrisburg area will embrace,” said Healy, 32, a Camp Hill resident.

Healy and Myers, 42, bought the building in December 2013 and have been hard at work since transforming the dilapidated, 7,000-square-foot space into a modern distillery and tasting room. They plan to manufacture rum, vodka and moonshine at first, then gin and whiskey.

Healy said they originated the concept two years ago after leaving another manufacturing company co-owned by Myers.

“We left and brainstormed what to do next,” he said. “We had considered brewing, but thought that market seemed more saturated.”

They began touring micro-distilleries, taking distilling classes, working on their business plan and searching for a site. They decided on Cameron Street because of the central location, the proximity to the Farm Show Complex and the existing industrial zone, which allows distilleries to operate by right.

In addition, the building was already fitted with an extensive sprinkler system, which is essential given the potentially volatile process of manufacturing spirits.

This is the second micro-distillery proposed for Harrisburg in recent months. In December, city residents Alan Kennedy-Shaffer and Stanley Gruen attempted to locate a distillery in the historic “Carpets and Draperies” building in Midtown Harrisburg, a location that required a zoning variance. Following a contentious meeting, the city’s Zoning Hearing Board denied their application.

Healy said Midstate Distillery will produce about 20 cases of liquor a week to start, with the ability to ramp up as demand increases. They will serve drinks by the glass, as well as sell bottles, and also would like to distribute to bars in the area. There are no plans to serve food, though they are open to partnering with food vendors.

Healy and Myers hope to open in July, though the timing will depend upon receipt of their state distillery license. They’ve already received their federal Distilled Spirits Permit. They also must complete the interior renovation, which they’re mostly doing themselves.

“The building has required a lot of TLC,” said Healy.

When Midstate Distillery opens, it will be the first distillery in Harrisburg in many decades, perhaps since Prohibition. In recent years, craft distilleries have opened in cities across Pennsylvania, such as Old Republic in York and Thistle Finch in Lancaster.

“We’re very excited,” said Healy. “But we’re also a little nervous because we still have a lot of work ahead of us before we can open.”

Homicide Solve Rates, Here and Elsewhere: A Story Supplement

March 30, 2015 | by Paul Barker

Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter.

How hard is it to get away with murder in Harrisburg?

TheBurg’s April issue, which comes out tomorrow, includes a story about the city’s homicide clearance rate—the percentage of murders solved by police.

Relying on data from the county coroner, the county courts, newspaper reports, the district attorney’s office and the Harrisburg police department, we compiled a chart of local homicides over six years, from 2009 to 2014.

There were 87 homicides in Harrisburg in that period, a high murder rate for a city this size. Police made arrests in 77 percent of the cases, with 20 remaining unsolved.

That’s a relatively high clearance rate—higher than the national average for homicides in 2013, which was 64 percent. Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter, in an interview for the story, explained some of the factors he thought contributed to his department’s success, including good police relationships in the community.

This morning, a few days after our story went to print, NPR debuted a tool on its website that allows users to compare clearance rates of local agencies.

NPR requested data from the FBI for local law enforcement agencies across the country. (The FBI already makes regional data available on its website.) Their tool provides data on homicide and other crimes from 2011 to 2013.

In those years, Harrisburg reported solve rates of 125 percent, 64 percent and 88 percent, respectively. Over the three years combined, the clearance rate on a total of 36 murders is about 89 percent.

One note on percentages: The NPR tool, following the FBI’s crime reporting standards, gives a clearance rate for each individual year. You simply take the number of crimes cleared in a given year, and divide by the number of new crimes that year.

That allows for more uniform comparisons, though it does come with some caveats—data reported by local agencies are not always accurate, and some are missing, leading to obviously incorrect conclusions (for example, the tool reports the NYPD cleared zero homicides in 2011 and 2012).

For our analysis, we used homicides committed and solved to get a single percentage over the six-year period, a somewhat different measure. Our solve rate skews high in the early years (since police have had more time to solve those crimes) and low in the later years (since they’ve had less time).

Missing data aside, though, one great thing about NPR’s tool is it allows you to compare Harrisburg with other cities. York, for example, has a homicide rate and population similar to Harrisburg’s: there were 39 murders in York between 2011 and 2013, in a population of 43,841.

In 2012 and 2013, York reported clearance rates of 55 and 33 percent, respectively. (Clearance data appear to be missing for 2011.)

Philadelphia, which saw 902 murders from 2011 to 2013 in a population of 1,553,153, posted clearance rates in those years of 60, 70 and 70 percent.

You can view NPR’s clearance rate tool here. To access a spreadsheet of our 2009-2014 homicide data for Harrisburg, click HBG homicides, 2009 – 2014. Our story on Harrisburg’s solve rate will appear in TheBurg’s April issue.

Happenings: The April Calendar of Events

March 30, 2015 | by Admin

Museum & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Lotus: The Art of Lightness,” featuring Lotus road and racing cars, through April 26.

“Motorbikes for the Masses,” an exhibit dedicated to low-cost transportation including motorbikes, scooters and mopeds, through Oct. 11.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“The MakeSpace Arts Collective,” an exhibit featuring the artists of The MakeSpace in Harrisburg, April 3-May 7; reception, April 3, 5-8 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Clare Margaret

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Artwork by Beverly Spitzer and Michele Taber, through May 4.

The Hershey Story Museum
63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

“Chocolate Workers Wanted,” life in Hershey’s chocolate factory from 1905 to 1925, through spring 2016.

Landis House
67 N. 4^th St., Newport
www.perrycountyarts.org

“Landis Legacy: the Typical Tourist,” featuring memorabilia of the Landis family’s travels through Europe and Cuba, through April 3.

The MakeSpace
1916 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgmakespace.com

Gallery exhibition and wall mural by MakeSpace resident artist Meisa Chase, through April 17.

Mangia Qui/Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

Works by Gianna Veno & Elide Hower, though April.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmueum.org

“In the Hands of the Enemy: Captivity, Parole & Exchange of Prisoners in the Civil War,” through June 1.

“1865,” an exhibit highlighting the fifth year of the Civil War covering battles, strategies and civilian lives, through December.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

The art of David Hughes, through May 30

“Abandoned America,” photography by Matthew Christopher, April 4-June 27

PCCA Gallery
Perry Country Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
perrycountyarts.org

“Collection of Watercolors,” featuring works by Donna Berk Barlup and Debra Tritt Kreiger of Mechanicsburg and Linda Young of Carlisle, through April 4.

Natured-inspired paintings by Kathy Corr & Patty Toth, April 8-May 2; reception, April 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

“Teaching Artists,” works by professional artists who teach students through PCCA’s Arts-in-Education program, April 10-May 1; reception, April 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Images of Life,” prints from the Darlene K. Morris collection, through April 1.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture,” featuring photographs by Betsy Manning, through Apr. 26.

“A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson,” featuring bird prints and first-edition volumes of the 200-year-old “American Ornithology” series by Alexander Wilson, through Jan. 3, 2016.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“Harry Bertoia: Four Decades of Drawing,” through April 12.

“Found in Transition,” a juried Doshi exhibit, opens April 21.

“Everyone Can Fly: Faith Ringgold’s Tar Beach & Regional Picture Book Illustrators,” through May 24.

Whitaker Center/The Curved Wall
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

“Art Instructor Exhibition,” works by the Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg, through April 3.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art in the Wild,” outdoor art exhibit, April 11-Oct. 31.

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

The artwork of Amber Long, through April 15.

Art by Susan Kramer, April 17-May 13.

Yellow Wall Gallery/Midtown Scholar
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

“Literatur Trash Polka,” the art of David K., through April 15.

The artwork of Jamie Rice and Adrianne Rice Visnofsky, April 17-May 13; reception, April 17, 6 p.m.

Read, Make, Learn

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

April 10: Fantastic Fish and Sauces, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
April 15: Tuscan Food & Wine Pairing, 6-9 p.m.
April 29: Weekend Entrees in 30 Minutes or Less, 6-9 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

March 22: Free Intro to Improv workshop

The LBGT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

April 2, 9, 16, 23: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12-2 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-1 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

April 1, 15, 22, 29: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
April 3, 10: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
April 6: Swing Dance at the Scholar, 6 p.m.
April 11: Snacks & Storybooks w/Gamut Theatre, 2:30 p.m.
April 19: Book Talk w/Richard Sommers
April 21: Book Talk & Signing w/Jeff Oppenheimer
April 25: Storytime w/Peter Sirotin

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

April 7, 21, 28: Abstract Weekly Class
April 24: Encaustic Workshop

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

April 11: “Cruisin’ the Cosmos: Spring Star Party,” 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
April 12 & 19: “Sundays in the Gallery” Series, 3 p.m.
April 25: Spring Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Perfect 5th Musical Arts Center
6240 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-691-9100; theperfect5th.com

April 13: QuickStart Guitar, 6:30 p.m.

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

April 9: Theme: “End of the Line,” 7 p.m. (at Midtown Scholar)

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

April 1: Bird Walk: Early Migration, 8-10 a.m.
April 1: Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m.
April 8: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 9: Art in the Wild Lecture, “Nature as the Client,” 7-8:30 p.m.
April 11: Art in the Wild Workshop w/Paul Nagle, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 11: Clean Up Your Earth Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 12: Flower Walk: Dutchman’s Breeches and Trout Lilies, 1:30-3 p.m.
April 19: Creature Feature: Spring Peepers, 1-2 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

April 18: Cesar Millan
April 24: The Temptations & Four Tops
April 26: Pat Benator & Neil Giraldo
April 30: Vince Gill

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

April 3: The Alchemystics
April 9: Still Hand String Band & the Wallace Bros.
April 12: Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry
April 17: Tsunami Experiment
April 19: Eilen Jewell
April 23: Jimkata
April 24: JT & the Mild Heat and Manian and the Monumentals
April 26: The Stray Birds

Broad Street Market
1233 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
broadstreetmarket.org

April 3: The Coalishun
April 25: The Coalishun

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

April 1: Marcus Spreecher
April 2, 12, 26, 30: Anthony Haubert
April 3, 17, 18: Chris Emkey
April 4, 10: Noel Gevers
April 7: Daniel Sheehan
April 8: Julie Moffitt
April 9, 22, 29: Jessica Cook
April 11, 25: Ted Ansel
April 14, 24: Roy Lefever
April 15: Andrea Britton
April 16, 23: Giovanni Triano
April 21: Deborah Anderson
April 28: Maria Battista

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

April 12: Chris Bacas & Voyage West (Wyndridge Farm, Dallastown)

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

April 1: The Ghost Inside
April 12: Chance & Fort Washington School of Rock
April 18: Charm City Devils
April 19: Between the Buried and Me
April 20: Taylor Caniff
April 21: Dopapod
April 22: Yellowcard
April 24: Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
April 25: (Hed) P.E. & Alien Ant Farm
April 30: The Devil Wears Prada

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

April 3: Hank Imhof
April 4: Soul Release
April 10: Antonio Andrade
April 11: Ed Horan
April 12: Jason Barshinger
April 17: Kevin Kline
April 18: Dale Stipes
April 19: Colette and Kristin
April 24: Jeanine and Friends
April 25: Doug Morris
April 26: Kristin Rebecca

The Garlic Poet
148 Sheraton Dr., New Cumberland
717-774-5435; garlicpoet.com

April 2: Shea Quinn
April 9: Hexbelt Duo
April 16: Eli Charleston
April 23: Shotgun Ragtime Band
April 30: Corty Byron

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

April 18-19: “Brahms’ Requiem”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

April 13-14: Brit Floyd
April 17: Hershey Symphony
April 19: Celtic Thunder
April 24: Primus
April 29: 2Cellos

HMAC/Stage on Herr
1110 N. 3rd St./268 Herr St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

April 3: First Friday Dance Party w/Vetour Productions
April 9: Strangest of Places
April 17: Terry Reid w/The Split Squad
April 18: The Whiskey Shivers
April 25: Adam Ezra Band
Every Wednesday, Open Mic w/Mike Banks

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

April 3: Casey Buckley
April 10: Rivers w/Shawan Rice
April 17: Hot Jam Factory w/The Shackletons & Spiderglass
April 24: Dentist w/Dead Lizard

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Uptown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

April 19: Robert Sarazin Blake & Catamt Coyote

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

April 12: Shippensburg University Concert Band
April 18: The Hit Men
April 23: Jackie Evancho
April 26: Shippensburg University Community Orchestra

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

April 25: Amernet String Quartet (at Temple Ohev Sholom)

Midtown Scholar Bookstore- Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

April 10: Emily Long
April 11: Ellyot H. Ray
April 17: Randy Niles
April 18: “Music Together”
April 23: Over the Rhine
April 29: Trez School of Music

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

April 17: The Album Leaf

Rose Lehrman Art Center
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-231-ROSE; hacc.edu/RLAC

April 25: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

River City Blues Club
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

April 1: Acoustic Stew Open Jam
April 2: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
April 3: Carlos Elliot & the Cornlickers
April 4: Cedric Lawson’s Life Force Band
April 8: Blue Elephant Open Jam
April 9: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
April 10: Marissa Elise and the Groove
April 11: Robert Frahm Trio
April 15: Nate Myers Trio Open Jam
April 16: Mark Santanna Electric Jam

Stock’s on 2^nd
211 N. 2^nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

April 3: Wally DeWall
April 4: Mitch Gregory
April 10: Keith Goldstein
April 11: Up Pops the Devil
April 17: Wally DeWall
April 18: Songsmith
April 24: Scott Rivers
April 25: Shea Quinn & Steve Swisher

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

April 14: The Wood Brothers
April 18: Four Bitchin’ Babes
April 19: York Junior Symphony Orchestra
April 25: Jeff Beck
April 25: Richard Thompson
April 28: Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

April 3: Sean Farley
April 4: The Wild Hymns
April 10: Nate Myers & the Aces
April 11: Erin & the Project
April 17: Scott Peoples
April 18: Tim Wolfe
April 24: Kris Kehr
April 25: Up Pops the Devil

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmfolk.org

April 11: Spring Coffeehouse (at Fort Hunter Barn)
April 12: April Jam Session (at Fort Hunter Barn)
April 12: Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry (at Abbey Bar)
April 24: John McCutcheon (at UUCY, York)

The Stage Door

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

April 12: Oxymorons

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Through May 2: “Funny Girl”

Gamut Theatre Group
3^rd Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg
717-238-4111; www.gamutplays.org

April 1-18: “The Three Billy Goats” (Popcorn Hat)
April 18: TMI Comedy Troupe

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

April 4, 11, 18, 25: Improv Comedy
April 11: Forte Largo featuring Chuck Britton

HMAC/Stage on Herr
1110 N. 3rd St./268 Herr St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

April 10-12: “The Vagina Monologues”
April 23: Improv 101

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

April 7: “The Great Gatsby”
April 11: Chinese Cultural & Arts Institute

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmonline.net

April 24-May 10: “There Goes the Bride”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

April 9: “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
April 16: Pilobus

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

April 19: “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

Midtown Scholar Bookstore- Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

April 17: TMI Improv
April 17: Comedy Night at the Scholar

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

April 17-May 3: “Talley’s Folly”

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; www.oystermill.com

April 10-26: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged”

Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

April 2: “Buddy—The Buddy Holly Story”
April 10: David Sedaris
April 17: Popovich Comedy Pet Theater

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

April 18-19: “Cinderella”

March News Digest

March 30, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

12 Run for Council

A dozen residents handed in petitions last month to run in the May primary for seats on Harrisburg City Council.

Four seats are up for grabs this year. Three hold four-year terms, while a fourth is a two-year seat to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Eugenia Smith, who died last year. Councilwomen Susan Brown-Wilson and Sandra Reid decided not to seek re-election.

The candidates, all Democrats, who filed for the four-year seats are:

Jeff Baltimore (incumbent) *
Jeremiah Chamberlin *
Ron Chapel *
Cornelius Johnson
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer
Brad Koplinski (incumbent)
Koscina Lowe *
Westburn Majors
Rhonda Mays
Ellis R. “Rick” Roy *

Two Democratic candidates filed exclusively for the two-year seat:

Destini Hodges
Pat Stringer

The primary is slated for May 19. No Republicans filed to run in the election.

* Also filed for the two-year council seat.

Treasurer, School Board Candidates File

Harrisburg will have competitive races this year for the Democratic nomination for both city treasurer and school board.

In the race for treasurer, challenger Brian Ostella will face off against incumbent Tyrell Spradley. Spradley has been in the office since November following his appointment by City Council. The seat was open after former Treasurer John Campbell was arrested last summer and resigned. No Republicans are running in the primary.

Six candidates filed for the Democratic nomination for five, four-year seats on the school board:

Monica L. Blackston-Bailey (incumbent)
Lionel Gonzalez
Matthew Krupp
Daunessy Penn
Jennifer Smallwood (incumbent)
Melvin Wilson Jr.

Krupp also filed for the Republican nomination, the only candidate to do so.

Two Democratic candidates filed for the sole, two-year term on the school board:

LaTasha Frye (incumbent)
Judd R. Pittman

No Republicans filed for the two-year seat. The primary will be held May 19.

2^nd Street Plan Gets Boost

Harrisburg’s plan to return N. 2^nd Street to two-way traffic received a key endorsement last month as the state Department of Transportation gave its preliminary approval.

Following a study, PennDOT concluded that the conversion of N. 2^nd Street from one-way to two-way traffic between Forster and Division streets is feasible. However, it “must be supported by a number of improvements on Second Street as well as other area roadways in order to safely accommodate redistributed traffic.”

Most importantly, N. 7^th Street north of Maclay Street must be converted from two-way traffic to one-way traffic northbound to Division Street. Moreover, improvements would have to be made at the intersections of Division and N. 7^th streets and Forster and N. 2^nd streets.

Finally, PennDOT urged additional study on the impact of the change before final planning for the conversion.

N. 2^nd Street was made one-way in 1956 to speed traffic flow out of the city. Since then, many have blamed the fast-moving, three-lane street for a number of ills, including decreased property values, blight and lessening the quality of life for some city residents.

Market Building to Stay Open

The Broad Street Market’s stone building will remain open, reversing an earlier decision to close it.

The market’s board of directors last month said it needed the space due to a flurry of applications by potential market vendors. In addition, some in the community opposed closing the building.

In late February, the board announced it would shutter the 150-year-old stone building temporarily and relocate the prepared food vendors there to the renovated brick building. The board now says it will try to make improvements to the stone building while keeping it open.

“There has been an influx of interest from new potential market businesses and, in order to house the increasing number of vendors, we are going to have to hold onto that space and figure out a way to renovate while doing business,” said board President Jonathan Bowser.

The market is still looking for new, food-oriented businesses. To apply, visit www.broadstreetmarket.org.

Reid Pleads Guilty

Harrisburg Councilwoman Sandra Reid pleaded guilty last month to a summary charge of disorderly conduct following an incident in November at a city service station.

The district attorney’s office charged Reid for allegedly interfering with an arrest at City Gas & Diesel in the 1500-block of State Street. She was ordered to pay $253 in a fine and court costs.

Following her arrest, Reid missed numerous council meetings and decided not to run for re-election.

Changing Hands

Bellevue Rd., 2034: J. & D. Weidler to F. & C. Ramirez, $88,000

Bigelow Dr., 12: W. Portzline to S. Adamson, $60,000

Calder St., 207: PA Deals LLC to J. Manzella, $73,000

Calder St., 208: MTM Property Group LLC to J. Martin, $58,500

Cumberland St., 270: W. Fritz Jr. to PA Deals LLC, $68,750

Fulton St., 1719: Sovereign Bank NA to PA Deals LLC, $67,000

Green St., 1120: P. & H. Jackson to N. Foote, $128,500

Green St., 1307: T. McNew to J. & D. Ruggiero, $89,900

Green St., 1309: Leasing Solutions LLC to L. Oberly, $100,000

Manada St., 2010: B. & S. Dean to N. Etter, $36,000

Naudain St., 1630: R. Eisner et al to R. Murphy III, $37,500

N. 2^nd St., 403: WCI Hotel Partners LP to 401 Hotel Partners LP, $482,709

N. 2^nd St., 2146: R. & W. Shoop to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $130,000

N. 2^nd St., 2530: B. MacDonald & M. Connolly to K. Dillon & D. Smyler, $106,000

N. 3^rd St., 608: P. Kumar & S. Sharma to 608 N. Third LLC, $177,500

N. 3^rd St., 2532: M. Hogan to D. Tamang & P. Moti, $125,000

N. 7^th St., 3101: PT Properties LLC & Realty Management Inc. to Conewago Contractors Inc., $1,378,000

N. 12^th St., 1500: Math Inc. to Greenworks Auto Recycling LLC, $250,000

Norwood St., 938: C. Weller to Edwin L. Heim Co., $70,000

Reily St., 225: M. Bitsko to M. Fickes, $99,000

Rumson Dr., 330: A. Pastula to G. Di Bosco, $41,500

S. 16^th St., 334: Tri County HDC Ltd. to M. Espada, $99,900

State St., 1839: G. & M. Robinson to M. Tiedrebeogo, $50,000

TheBurg Podcast, March 27, 2015

March 27, 2015 | by Admin

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

March 27, 2015: This week, Larry and Paul talk about the mayor’s outside-the-box effort to reduce parking prices, the outsiders vs. insiders mindset coming back to council chambers and drawing primary ballot challengers out of the shadows.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme. You can listen to his podcast, the PRC Show, on SoundCloud and in the iTunes store.

TheBurg Podcast can be downloaded by clicking on the date above or by visiting the iTunes store. You can also access the podcast via its host page, here.

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